taz.de
German Antimilitarist Website Maps Military Conversion Sites
A new website, "Wir mappen die Militarisierung," launched by German antimilitarist activists, maps 20 locations undergoing conversion to military production, including Alstom in Görlitz and VW in Osnabrück, providing resources for resistance.
- What is the main goal and impact of the "Wir mappen die Militarisierung" website?
- The website aims to expose and counter the conversion of civilian infrastructure to military production in Germany. It lists 20 locations, including Alstom in Görlitz (shifting from trains to tanks) and a VW plant in Osnabrück (becoming a Rheinmetall arms producer), thereby facilitating coordinated resistance efforts.
- What are the potential future implications and limitations of this online mapping initiative?
- The website's success depends on community participation; adding more locations and resistance efforts is crucial. Its impact will be measured by its effectiveness in raising awareness, coordinating opposition, and ultimately, hindering the ongoing militarization of German industry.
- What are some examples of resistance efforts mentioned, and how do they connect to the website's purpose?
- The site highlights existing initiatives like "ÖPPNV statt Panzerbau" in Görlitz and "Zukunftswerkstatt Osnabrück," which oppose military conversion at their respective locations. These examples demonstrate the website's role in connecting local activism with a broader antimilitarist movement.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the anti-militarist activism as the primary narrative, highlighting their efforts and concerns. The headline and introduction immediately establish this perspective, focusing on the website created by antimilitarist activists to map sites of militarization. While the article mentions the existence of these militarization sites, the focus remains on the activists' opposition and efforts to prevent them. This framing might lead readers to prioritize the activist viewpoint over a balanced consideration of both sides of the issue. For instance, the article does not present counter arguments or official statements from the involved companies.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but there is a tendency to use terms that subtly favor the anti-militarist perspective. For example, the use of "militarization" instead of "military production" has a more negative connotation. Similarly, describing the conversion of civilian factories to military production as a "conversion backward" carries a value judgment. The term 'resistance' is also used positively to describe activist actions, while the actions of the companies are presented largely in negative terms (e.g. "Umwandlung von Zivil- in Rüstungsproduktion"). More neutral alternatives could include "military production," "repurposing of facilities," or more specific descriptions of the companies' actions.
Bias by Omission
The article omits perspectives from the companies involved in the conversion to military production. While the article mentions specific companies and locations, it does not include quotes or statements from representatives of these entities explaining their reasons for shifting to military production. This omission leaves a gap in the narrative and might create an unbalanced view of the situation. Additionally, the scale of the militarization is not fully explored, only specific sites being highlighted, thus not offering a full picture. The article also lacks information about the economic impact of these shifts, potential job creation, and any potential broader national security implications.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified dichotomy between anti-militarist activists and the companies involved in military production. It focuses heavily on the resistance to militarization without fully exploring the economic, political, or security factors that may contribute to these industrial shifts. The narrative could benefit from exploring the complexities of this issue by including other relevant factors and stakeholders.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the conversion of civilian production facilities into military production, representing a potential threat to peace and security. The actions of antimilitarist activists to map and resist this militarization are directly relevant to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), specifically target 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The shift towards military production can contribute to an environment of increased tension and conflict, undermining efforts towards peaceful and inclusive societies. The initiatives mentioned, like "ÖPPNV statt Panzerbau" and "Zukunftswerkstatt Osnabrück", directly oppose this militarization and work towards a more peaceful and just society.